Electric and Green Boating News Archives

November 29, 2023

Here’s when the first zero-emission SF Bay ferries will set sail

The first zero-emission, high-speed ferries are expected to make their maiden voyages across the San Francisco Bay by 2025, ferry officials said.

The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority has partnered with Finnish maritime technology company Wärtsilä to finalize vessel and charging system concepts. Once concepts are finalized, construction on the first of five electric-powered vessels will begin by the end of the year with a tentative launch set for 2025.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $3.5 Billion to Strengthen Domestic Battery Manufacturing

Funding from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda Continues to Expand Domestic Battery Manufacturing and Processing, Strengthen America’s Critical Supply Chains, Create Good-Paying Union Jobs, and Support Clean Energy Transition

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, two years after President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to $3.5 billion from the Infrastructure Law to boost domestic production of advanced batteries and battery materials nationwide. As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the funding will create new, retrofitted, and expanded domestic facilities for battery-grade processed critical minerals, battery precursor materials, battery components, and cell and pack manufacturing, all of which are critical to supporting clean energy industries of the future, such as renewable energy and electric vehicles. This investment, which includes a focus on retaining and creating good-paying union jobs in the manufacturing workforce, is administered by DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC).

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August 22, 2023

Auckland’s first two electric ferries take shape for 2024 launch

Auckland’s two state-of-the-art electric ferries are taking shape in the east of the city, with the first expected to be in the water in 2024. The 200-seat, carbon fibre ferries are the first in a 10-year programme to replace much of the city’s ageing fleet of dirty, diesel-powered boats, with zero or low-emission ferries.

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August 02, 2023

Test of the ACCWing, a flexible wing for 20-knot peaks without forcing it

A sail that’s easy to hoist

It was the end of July 2023, and the conditions were perfect, with a steady wind. The wind angle permitting, it was decided to leave the pontoon under sail, or rather wing… On the catamaran used to support the first ACCWing, the wing is very easy to set. Like any other sail, a simple halyard at the top of the carbon mast allows the 54 m2 to be hoisted, without having to worry about any luff ropes or lazy jacks.

The wing is made of a classic double skin of membrane sailcloth, with a low boom and 3 intermediate rigid carbon ribs. Even when shocked, the wing quickly acquires a little lift, and it doesn’t take long to cast off.

Adjustable wing profile

As its name suggests, ACCWing stands for Automated Camber Control Wing, and the patent filed for the invention includes the ability to adjust the camber of the profile. Once we’re out of the channel, at a speed that’s already quite high compared to the surrounding boats, we can take a look at the wing’s adjustment options. At first glance, the operation is fairly classic, with a sheet on each side, shifted with hoists. While the test catamaran was designed for traditional rigging, future ACCWing-designed boats will have circular rails to hold the trailing and leading edges.

For our start, the profile was kept symmetrical, and was already working well. To improve performance, we’re testing the possibility of cambering the profile. To achieve this, the system uses flexible joints, called muscles, similar to those in the human body.

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July 14, 2023

MAN B&W two-stroke engine achieves successful ammonia combustion

At MAN Energy Solutions’ Research Centre Copenhagen (RCC), the company has successfully run a test engine on ammonia with positive results regarding pilot oil amount and combustion stability. The engine used was a MAN B&W two-stroke 4T50ME-X type.

“This marks a major milestone on our road to developing a full-scale two-stroke ammonia marine engine,” said Gunnar Stiesch, chief technical officer, MAN Energy Solutions. “It’s been a historic week for our team at the RCC where a lot of groundwork and research has now paid off and we have gained a deep understanding of ammonia’s unique characteristics as a marine fuel, as well as its effects on fuel supply and safety systems. This successful combustion represents yet another important step towards decarbonizing the marine market and bringing big things to zero.”

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April 13, 2023

You’re About to See Electric Ferries Everywhere—Here’s What to Know

From San Francisco to Singapore, the waterborne vessels are emerging as the latest trend in green transport. Electric cars are humming all around; airlines are getting bullish on electric planes. The next mode of transit to make waves? Battery-powered boats.

Destinations the world over are clamoring for cleaner forms of energy—so it’s no surprise they’re embracing electrified transit as one of the quickest paths to that goal. The sector accounts for about a quarter of annual global greenhouse gas emissions; ships alone are responsible for nearly three percent of that, or about a billion metric tons of CO2 each year. Click here to read more…

March 28, 2023

Ports, Watercraft Are Also Making the Jump to Electric Tech

Ferries and other heavy equipment in Alabama, California and other locations are making the switch to electric power, as the maritime industry looks for ways to break away from fossil fuel propulsion.

The electrification of transportation is moving well beyond cars and bikes, and has spread to the maritime sector.

Major ports, like the one in Long Beach, Calif., are transitioning vehicles like forklifts, drayage trucks and even tugboats to emissions-free power. Meanwhile, ferry operators on rivers and other waterways are also eyeing all-electric propulsion. Read more…

March 24, 2023

First adopters of eConowind’s VentoFoil wind support system share operational experiences

With the International Maritime Organization currently developing international regulations and standards that aim to achieve a 40% CO2 reduction by 2030, eConowind has shared additional information about its VentoFoil concept. The concept consists of a vertical wing that converts wind into additional thrust for vessels, resulting in annual fuel consumption savings of up to 15%.

The very first users of the maritime system – outlined below – have subsequently become official ambassadors for the eConowind VentoFoil following their experiences.

“It is great to work in the energy transition and I am grateful for the efforts of these four innovators,” said Frank Nieuwenhuis, CEO of eConowind. Read more…

February 22, 2023

Angel Island ferry to be state’s first all-electric short-run ferry

The Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry Co. has embarked on a pioneering project to convert its largest vessel into California’s first zero-emission, all-electric short-run ferry.

“If we’re successful, I get to do this for our community,” owner and captain Maggie McDonogh of Tiburon said last week. “How cool is that? It’s super exciting.”

McDonogh is partnering with San Rafael-based Green Yachts, Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s Electric Vehicle Fleet program and the California Air Resources Board on the roughly $4.5 million project, which is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

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February 19, 2023

Our electric future: Maine mechanics prepare to service electric boats

A regional nonprofit has partnered with educators on a three-part training course to help prepare technicians to work on electric boats.

Electric boats will soon be docking along Maine’s rocky coast.

A new training program aims to help boat mechanics prepare to service them, with the goal of speeding up the adoption of these cleaner-running vessels.

The Island Institute, a nonprofit focused on supporting the needs of Maine’s coastal and island communities, has partnered with Maine Electric Boat, the Maine community college system, and the Mid-Coast School of Technology to develop a three-part training course that it hopes will create stable, sustainable career opportunities for Maine residents while boosting the confidence of would-be electric boat buyers. Read more…

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